Most of us normal humans spend more time struggling and wrestling with our flesh than we do shouting victorious mantras from mountain tops.

When we do it, we reveal to people that we aren't as good, nice, moral, spiritual, strong, or committed as we would like people to think.

When people ask us how we're doing, and we give a gloomy answer, we run the risk of pushing that person away. They might not want to be burdened with my problems, so I say, "I"m doing great!" We throw some spiritual lingo in there so that people think our good status is directly linked to our superb devotional life.

We all go through seasons of strength and weakness. If we are in community with one another, we should find a sense of harmony with one another. I need strong people when I'm weak. When I need to lean, I need someone to lean on. At the same time, I need people who are struggling, to lean on me.

For this to work, we need to be authentic.

For this to work, we need to risk being real.

When you are strong, use that strength. Hurting people are easy to find. They need to lean on you... to fill your ears with their words, to plead your prayers, to share your company, to hear your encouragement.

I've been struggling lately. Life has been exceptionally hard over the past few months. I truly appreciate those who have been there for me. I'm sorry if my leaning has driven anyone away or caused discomfort. As people should be quick to lean on me, I too, am quick to lean on others... to seek out the effective fervent prayers of righteous saints. This is how family works.

It's risky to be real... but if we fake it... if we fail to reveal what's wrong... if we mask our struggles with a smile and church-lingo... we are throwing disharmony into God's design, and we are missing out on what has for us.